"If you don't wear headphones on board, we'll make you"...US airline takes hard line on cabin noise

[The Financial News] United Airlines is making the use of headphones mandatory on its flights.
According to reports on the 5th (local time) from The Washington Post and other US media, United Airlines recently revised its conditions of carriage to require passengers to wear headphones when using audio content on board.
United Airlines had previously only recommended the use of headphones, but the revision now gives the carrier legal grounds to forcibly deplane passengers who do not comply or to deny them boarding.
A United Airlines representative stated, "We have long encouraged customers to wear headsets, but as high-speed Wi-Fi has become more widely available on board, we felt it was necessary to clarify this rule."
Other US airlines, not just United Airlines, are enforcing similar policies.
Delta Air Lines recommends the use of earphones and provides complimentary earphones on most of its flights. Southwest Airlines effectively mandates headphone use through rules that allow sanctions against passengers who do not follow crew instructions.
Travel influencer Ben Schlappig welcomed United Airlines' move, saying, "I was going crazy because of passengers who had no respect for others," and adding, "It is a fantastic step that United is starting to treat this issue seriously."
newssu@fnnews.com Kim Su-yeon Reporter